Author: Denielle.Cazzolla
Senior recognition events set for spring sports
Liberty’s senior student athletes for the spring will be honored in the coming weeks.
Senior recognition events will be held on the Liberty campus at the following contests:
- May 11: 4:30 p.m. Boys tennis vs. Burke Catholic
- May 11: 4:15 p.m., Baseball vs Sullivan West
- May 15: 4:30 p.m. Softball vs. James I. O’Neil
The Sullivan County Golf Course will host a get-together for the Redhawk golfers on May 14, at a time to be determined.
Senior track and field athletes will be recognized during the meet at Sullivan West’s Jefferson campus, which starts at 4 p.m. May 18.
The public is invited to cheer on the teams—and wish the seniors best of luck in the future.
Sullivan County seeks input on Hazard Mitigation Plan
Sullivan County and its jurisdictions have been hard at work this past year to update the Hazard Mitigation Plan.
The plan is now ready for public review, and residents and stakeholders are asked to review the draft plan and provide feedback.
Visit the Sullivan County page on MitigateNY to review the plan. The Public Review Period is open until June 6. Comments can be made on this form.
A message from the principal
Dear LES families,
I would like to inform you that a police-related situation occurred suddenly this afternoon behind the police station.
Although this transpired off school grounds and concluded quickly, we want to reassure you that there was no immediate concern for our students or the school.
Sincerely,
Robert England
Principal
LES yearbook covers to feature students’ artwork
Two Liberty Elementary students’ artwork will be featured on the front and back cover of the Liberty Elementary School Yearbook.
“Our judging panel had a difficult time choosing from so many unique and wonderful entries, but we are thrilled to announce this year’s creative superstars,” Yearbook Advisor Lisa Treible said.
Annabelle Adrade’s work will be on the front cover. Annabelle’s “collaborative artwork perfectly captures our ‘Liberty Pride’,” Mrs. Treible said.
Olivia Miranda’s “beautiful” design will be on the back cover.
Both winners will receive a free copy of the yearbook as a prize for their hard work and creativity.
Yearbooks are scheduled to be distributed this June at LES.
“Thank you to everyone who participated and showed off their incredible artistic talent,” Mrs. Treible said. “You’ve helped make this year’s yearbook truly special!”
BOE to have special meeting May 12
There will be a special meeting of the Board of Education at 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 12, in the District Office at 115 Buckley Street, Liberty NY. There will be a brief agenda and the meeting is open to the public. The board anticipates to enter into executive session (not open to the public) at the conclusion of the open meeting. There will be no other regular business. The agenda will be available at Board Docs on Monday, May 11.
The next regular meeting of the board will be on Tuesday May 26, 2026.
Administration reviews proposed budget at public hearing
Liberty Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan and Assistant Superintendent for Business Laurene McKenna presented information on the proposed 2026-27 school budget during the annual budget hearing on May 5 in the Liberty High School Auditorium.
A recording of the hearing is available.
The proposed $72,032,104 budget increases spending 5.14%, or $3,523,742, and would fund all current student programs and services while accounting for increases in costs such as health care, transportation and contractual obligations.
Based on the governor’s budget proposal’s state aid projections, the district expects an overall increase in state aid of about $1.1 million, with no increase in the tax levy, which would remain at $17,760,162.
There will be two more opportunities for the public to learn more about the proposed budget:
- 5 p.m. Thursday, May 14, in the High School Media Center before the High School Honors Concert
- 8 to 10 a.m. Friday, May 15, at the New Munson Diner at 12 Lake St.
The budget vote and school board election will take place between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, in the High School Media Center.
For more information about the budget, the school board election or voting, visit the district’s budget page.
Liberty superintendent elected to AASA Governing Board
Liberty CSD Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan was elected in April to the governing board of the AASA, The School Superintendents Association.
He will serve a three-year term, July 2026 through June 2029. He will represent New York in Region 7, which includes the Northeast United States.
The 135 members of the Governing Board meet twice per year to set policy for the AASA, the premier association for school system leaders serving as the national voice for public education and district leadership on Capitol Hill.
“Representing our Mid-Hudson region at the national level matters to me,” Dr. Sullivan said. “I want to advocate for our districts, amplify our voices in national discussions, and help Liberty make a meaningful impact beyond our region and state.”
Library to host building, painting programs for students
The Liberty Public Library is offering programs for students later this month.
On Tuesday, May 19, the library will host “Build With Us!’ from early dismissal at noon to 1:30 p.m. for elementary students. A parent or guardian must accompany the students to build using Lego and Magnetics.
Students in middle and high school are invited to paint a cactus garden between 3:15 and 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 20. Students will make a cactus garden using river rocks that they can take home. Snacks will be provided.
The library is at 189 N. Main St. in Liberty.
For more information, call 845-292-6070 or visit www.libertypubliclibrary.org.
LES celebrates School Lunch Heroes Day
To celebrate School Lunch Heroes Day last week, the Liberty Elementary Art Club and students in art classes created aprons to gift kitchen crew, as well as monitors, aides and assistants who work in the cafeteria.
The aprons, along with coloring pages thanking the School Lunch Heroes, were hung in the cafeteria by members of the Student Lighthouse Team and some members of the Boys and Girls Club to show LES’ appreciation.
Funding for this project was made possible in part by an Empowering a Healthier Generation Grant from Sullivan 180.
Sports schedule, and results, for the week of May 4-10, 2026
Spring sports is in action with baseball, golf, softball, tennis and track.
Here are the schedule and results, if available. Livestream links are included where available.
The schedule is subject to change. Check the Liberty schedule on the Section IX website for the latest.
Monday, May 4
3 p.m.: Boys Varsity Golf vs. Sullivan West Central at Villa Roma Country Club
4 p.m.: Girls Varsity Golf vs. Ellenville at Sullivan County Golf and Country Club
4:15 p.m.: Modified Softball vs. Eldred at Liberty Elementary School
4:15 p.m.: Varsity Softball vs. Eldred at Liberty High School
Result: Liberty 1, Eldred 15
The Liberty Varsity softball team faced a tough afternoon on the diamond, dropping a 15-1 decision to Eldred in a five-inning mercy-rule game on their home field.
Eldred’s ace, Giada Donato, was the story of the day, stifling the Redhawks’ offense from the opening pitch. Donato carried a no-hitter into the final frame, racking up 11 strikeouts and keeping the Liberty lineup off-balance throughout the contest until a two-out single in the bottom of the fifth.
The visiting Yellowjackets wasted no time building an insurmountable lead, taking advantage of exceptional plate discipline to jump out to a 15-0 advantage by the end of the second inning. Eldred drew 17 walks on the day and paired that patience with seven timely hits, while also executing aggressively on the basepaths.
The Eldred offensive attack was anchored by a stellar performance from Madison Gaeta, who reached base safely in multiple ways by tallying two hits and two walks, driving in four runs, and scoring twice. Sydney Furler also had a massive afternoon, reaching base four times while swiping three stolen bases and crossing the plate three times. Emma Bisland contributed significantly as well, drawing four walks, driving in two runs, and scoring twice.
For Liberty, the lone hit of the game came in the bottom of the fifth inning. With two outs, Angie Wheeler delivered a solid base knock to break up the no-hit bid. Wheeler reached base twice on the afternoon. The Redhawks’ lone run was scored by Brooke Porter, who was driven home on an RBI from Maddy Stewart.
Despite the scoreboard, Liberty’s Coach Philips expressed immense pride in the team’s defensive grit and effort. The outfield in particular kept the squad energized with several highlight-reel plays, beginning with Maddy Stewart, who tracked down three impressive running catches in centerfield. Angie Wheeler added another spectacular catch in centerfield to rob Eldred of extra bases, while Daniela Ponce Flores flashed the leather with a great catch on a hard-hit opposite-field line drive.
4:30 p.m.: Varsity Baseball vs. James I. O’Neill at James I. O’Neill High School
Tuesday, May 5
4 p.m.: Varsity Softball vs. S.S. Seward Institute at The Rock Sports Park
Result: Liberty 6, S.S. Seward 25
In sports, as in life, character is rarely defined by the scoreboard; rather, it is developed in how a team responds when bad news hits. At The Rocks Sports Park, the Liberty Varsity Softball team faced a mountain of adversity before the first pitch was even thrown, eventually falling 25-6 to a disciplined S.S. Seward squad in a game that tested their fortitude far more than their fundamentals.
The Redhawks took the field with heavy hearts following the news that their reigning team MVP has succumbed to a season-ending injury. It was a blow that could have defeated any program, but instead, it brought about a display of selfless flexibility. Athletes shifted roles to support their teammates. The Varsity squad was also bolstered by JV call-ups Harper Matuszak and Corinne Lake, both of whom stepped into starting roles without hesitation.
Liberty showed an immediate spark in the top of the 1st inning, manufacturing a run to take an early lead. However, the Spartans of S.S. Seward responded with an offensive display in the bottom half, utilizing walks, aggressive baserunning, and timely hitting to hang nine runs on the board. True to their gritty reputation though, the Redhawks refused to fold. In the top of the 2nd, Liberty roared back with a five-run rally. Brooke Porter, Maddy Stewart, Giuliana Wagner, Arianna Wilson, and Amy Szuba all crossed the plate, clawing the deficit back to a manageable 9-6.
After Liberty’s defense held Seward scoreless in the 2nd, momentum seemed to be shifting. However, the 3rd inning proved decisive as Seward exploded for 12 runs, aided by defensive miscues but fueled by their own plate discipline. The lead became insurmountable, and the game was eventually called after five innings due to the mercy rule.
Despite the result, several Redhawks turned in stellar individual performances. Arianna led the offensive charge with an RBI triple, reaching base three times, and scoring once. Maddy was a constant threat, reaching base twice, swiping two bags, and scoring twice. Lilli Black showed a keen eye at the plate, reaching twice and contributing an RBI.
On the defensive side, the trio of Maddy, Arianna, and Harper personified team loyalty, each playing three different positions during the contest to cover the gaps left by injury. Behind the plate, Corinne played a solid game and showing immense toughness while battling a jammed finger.
While the final score was a loss, Coach Philips saw a lot to celebrate. “I couldn’t be more proud of this group,” Philips said following the game. “They battled all day long in the face of incredible adversity. To see them step into new roles, show that kind of effort, and maintain their resiliency after losing a key leader—that shows the kind of people they are growing into. They can hold their heads high.”
The Redhawks now head into a well-deserved break to regroup and heal. They will return to action next Monday as they travel to take on Port Jervis.
4:15 p.m.: Modified Baseball vs. Rockland Central School District at Liberty Middle School
4:15 p.m.: Modified Softball vs. Rockland Central School District at Rockland MS/HS
4:30 p.m.: Boys Varsity Tennis vs. Port Jervis at Port Jervis High School
Wednesday, May 6
All events postponed or canceled.
Thursday, May 7
11 a.m.: Boys Varsity Golf vs. Multiple Schools at The Monster at Resort World Catskill
4 p.m.: JV Softball vs. Fallsburg at Benjamin Cosor Elementary School
4:30 p.m.: Varsity Baseball vs. John S. Burke Catholic at Burke Catholic High School
Friday, May 8
4 p.m.: Boys Varsity Tennis vs. Monticello at Monticello High School
4:30 p.m.: Varsity Baseball vs. Chester Academy at Chester Academy
Saturday and Sunday, May 9 and 10
No events scheduled